Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $761 in Kansas versus $849 in Wisconsin. Overall, Kansas runs roughly 10% cheaper on rent than Wisconsin, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $63,072 in Kansas and $62,546 in Wisconsin — about 1% higher in Kansas. Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
6.5%
5%
+1.5 pp in Kansas
Income Tax (top rate)
5.58%
7.65%
+2.1 pp in Wisconsin
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$761
$849
+12% in Wisconsin
Median Home Value
$179,500
$191,500
+7% in Wisconsin
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$63,072
$62,546
+1% in Kansas
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
57.0°F
46.5°F
+10.5°F in Kansas
Kansas vs Wisconsin — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Kansas or Wisconsin?
- Kansas is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $761 runs about 10% below Wisconsin's $849, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Kansas than in Wisconsin?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $30,000 a year in Kansas versus $34,000 in Wisconsin.
- Which has lower taxes, Kansas or Wisconsin?
- Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax. Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 1/3 cities we track in Kansas/Wisconsin — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.